Ampeg V4B **DFW Tryout?**

carbonfold · #1 04-11-2011, 03:21 PM

Anyone have one of these in the Dallas area to let me try out?

I would like to see if could give me the headroom that I'm use to (before I commit myself to buying one) and can not find one at any shop around here.

Thanks!

Laurent · #2 04-11-2011, 10:05 PM

I'm in Northern California so I can't help you with your request.
The fact that you are questioning the headroom tells me you will need more power.
100 W is not very much, it's not enough to play with a drummer even a moderatly loud one in my experience.

I have a Traynor 200 watts tube head and it's loud enough to play with a drummer but there is not a lot of headroom. It's not a flaw, it's just the nature of the beast.

Alex1984 · #3 04-12-2011, 12:02 AM

Depends on the cabinet too, JimmyM has gigged with his V4B and 810 before it got burnt down.

I personally prefer the V4B since I like earlier distortion and my band's not TOO loud, but I'd choose the SVT for headroom. Each has its own tone, and are both very good.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the V4B offers the option to use 8 ohm cabs.

arthur31686 · #4 04-12-2011, 01:25 AM

Get the right cab and the v4b will growl loud and proud.

dubstylee · #5 04-12-2011, 06:11 AM

Agreed, I can use my V4 with a pretty loud band and it's plenty.

nysbob · #6 04-12-2011, 06:20 AM

I play mine through JBL 15"s ...never have any trouble hearing it. It's a sweet, sweet sound.

Sorry I'm not much use on the tryout.

JMac4strngr · #7 04-12-2011, 06:36 AM

I'd be glad to let You take mine around the block, but I am in Atlanta, GA. so that's a bit too far of a drive. I run mine with an 810 E cab and it gets pretty loud, with some mild drive going on. It'll hang with a loud drummer and cranked JCM 800 without an issue, which works for me. However, would it be loud enough for You? Cant say, but being a recent all tube convert I have learned that 100 all tube watts goes a good bit further than I had originally anticipated. The LH 500 I was using before was nice but i usually had to keep the volume up there to hang, whereas the V4 doesn't have to be cranked as hard to do the same job. Nice full sound, without being crazy loud.

carbonfold · #8 04-12-2011, 10:37 AM

My cab is currently a GK 412 Neo and run a GB Shuttle 9.0. And I have ample amount of headroom and power with this rig.

I have a good bit of experience with the VB2 and AD200B but ran it on a SVT610 and was not happy. I honestly was hasty by getting rid of the Orange and was thinking it was an amp issue. And boy was I wrong!

Found the same issue with headroom when I got the Shuttle. When I changed my cab to the 412....WOW!

The Shuttle is a beast and would probably happy keeping it.....However

, been getting the tube bug pretty bad but have heard a lot of people talk about the V4.

Seems like there is so much wishy washy because a lot is opinion. Thats why I wished that I could get my hands on one first.

carbonfold · #9 04-13-2011, 08:33 AM

I know this is comparing apples to oranges, but a buddy of mine let me try out his Sunn Sonic I on my 412 rig.

It had some volume to it, but squashed the B string pretty bad set at noon. Very midy and cut through, but really lack a solid low note. Now, if my memory serves me correct, this is only approx 40w and the V4B is 100w. Which I would guess might make up for the low loss.

JMac4strngr · #10 04-13-2011, 11:17 AM

The V-4 Puts out a rock solid 100 watts, and then some. I currently run mine with the sensitivity switch set a -6, and set the volume somewhere between 9 and 10 o'clock. It gets pretty darned loud, gritty when You dig in (thump the strings like an 800 lb gorilla), and keeps good solid definition on the low notes (keep in mind I play a 4 string, tuned to E with some occasional drop D, so I am not sure about the B on Your 5'er). It could possibly get a bit louder with Your cab, as it may be more efficient than my old 810e. I can say for sure it holds its own against the Hartke LH500 (not hating on the LH as they are great amps) I was using, as the overall tone is better and seems to fill the room in a different way.
I am not very familiar with the Sunn stuff, but the tone stack could be set-up quite a bit different than the V4 (old baxandal if I am correct?). It may be voiced to have a lot of mids, for guitar.

carbonfold · #11 04-19-2011, 07:59 AM

By any wild chance has anyone compared the Shuttle 9.0 to the V4B?

derridiandrift · #12 04-19-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbonfold

By any wild chance has anyone compared the Shuttle 9.0 to the V4B?

Uh, the V4B is not that kind of amp.

I've not owned a Shuttle, but I played through one and I have to say that it's a lot more flexible than the V4B. Regardless of it's flexibility and supremely light weight, I much prefer the sound of tube amps, so my opinion is biased by my tastes.

I had a 70s V4B and I just picked up a V4BH that's a few years old. They're different sounding amps, but I like them both. Back when I owned my late 70s V4B, I ran it into a pair of Eden D410XLT cabs. I got to play a big festival stages and a few stadiums with that setup, and it was loud enough to use in a band where the guitar players were playing Hiwatt and JCM800 half stacks. At that volume, the V4B is grindy and aggressive. Not as loud as an SVT, and not as much clean headroom, but still a great sounding amp if you use it in a way that's appropriate to the context.

The Shuttle is a great amp and worth keeping around so that you have a light weight option. If you need lots of headroom for slapping and you need to play loud, the Shuttle is better at that game. If you're looking for straight up aggressive rock bass tone, the V4B is pretty much plug and play. You might consider a vintage Traynor YBA-3 as another option.

hublocker · #13 04-19-2011, 04:10 PM

I've got a 1974 V4b and I used to play in big old wooden community halls and school gyms with a drummer, and two guitar players and be heard in the washrooms.

carbonfold · #14 04-20-2011, 06:47 AM

Thanks for the input.

Honestly, I don't do a lot of slapping and mainly run up the alley of straight up rock. The Shuttle works well and I probably will stick with one. However, the sound description I've heard about the V4B sounds what I'm looking for. I'm just a little concerned with some headroom and if there is any issues with the V4B handling a low B string (A# tuned) when cranked.

I know comparing 40w to 100w is a big difference, but when I gave the Sunn Sonic I a wirl, the low B and some lower noted runs tend to tube squash pretty bad. However, I've heard that the V4B can handle its own pretty well, so I'm not sure if that would be a issue.

I have also been told that the V4B works best with a sealed vs a ported cab. There is a bit concern there since my cab is a 412 ported.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

Uh, the V4B is not that kind of amp.

I've not owned a Shuttle, but I played through one and I have to say that it's a lot more flexible than the V4B. Regardless of it's flexibility and supremely light weight, I much prefer the sound of tube amps, so my opinion is biased by my tastes.

I had a 70s V4B and I just picked up a V4BH that's a few years old. They're different sounding amps, but I like them both. Back when I owned my late 70s V4B, I ran it into a pair of Eden D410XLT cabs. I got to play a big festival stages and a few stadiums with that setup, and it was loud enough to use in a band where the guitar players were playing Hiwatt and JCM800 half stacks. At that volume, the V4B is grindy and aggressive. Not as loud as an SVT, and not as much clean headroom, but still a great sounding amp if you use it in a way that's appropriate to the context.

The Shuttle is a great amp and worth keeping around so that you have a light weight option. If you need lots of headroom for slapping and you need to play loud, the Shuttle is better at that game. If you're looking for straight up aggressive rock bass tone, the V4B is pretty much plug and play. You might consider a vintage Traynor YBA-3 as another option.

nysbob · #15 04-20-2011, 06:56 AM

I don't think sealed vs ported is as important as efficiency.

FWIW I play a 5 string EUB through mine and it seems to have plenty of grunt down low...but again I'm playing through very efficient 15"s...vented cabs too.

carbonfold · #16 04-20-2011, 07:17 AM

Currently I'm running a Gallen Krueger 412 Neo

Quote:

Originally Posted by nysbob

I don't think sealed vs ported is as important as efficiency.

FWIW I play a 5 string EUB through mine and it seems to have plenty of grunt down low...but again I'm playing through very efficient 15"s...vented cabs too.

nysbob · #17 04-20-2011, 08:57 AM

I looked it up and the stated sensitivity is 102db which is pretty good (although they didn't provide any further info) - you should be OK with it.

dubstylee · #18 04-20-2011, 10:53 AM

I'd do it carbonfold, I love the way a V4/V4B sounds, I will honestly never let mine go, never ever ever.... NOTHING SOUNDS LIKE IT.

carbonfold · #19 04-20-2011, 11:03 AM

Dub, how would you compare it to your VB2?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubstylee

I'd do it carbonfold, I love the way a V4/V4B sounds, I will honestly never let mine go, never ever ever.... NOTHING SOUNDS LIKE IT.

dubstylee · #20 04-20-2011, 08:38 PM

I'd describe the V4 as being a bit more in the mids than the VB2, and I feel that with the VB2 I can get a wider/lower bottom end. You can dirty up the VB2 alright on the clean channel (gain to 10), but the V4/V4B just does this a bit more natural than the VB2. I find the V4/V4B to have more complex mids and more harmonic content.

A think a big reason I like the Ampeg so much is because it's a lower wattage head. It is nice to have the VB2 when I'm doing a louder gig, but I've used the V4 too and have been just fine. I use a sealed 4x12 btw.